Indian coral tree, Coral Tree
Erythrina variegata
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A deciduous tree. It grows up to 15-20 m tall and loses its leaves for part of the year. The trunk has blunt spines. The branches are spreading, crooked and armed with sharp black prickles. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are broadly oval and 8 to 18 cm long. They are shiny green on top and dull flat green underneath. The flowers appear before the leaves. The flowers are at the ends of branches and are hairy and dense. The flowers are large numerous and hang down. They are red. The pod is about 10 to 25 cm long and 1.5 to 2 cm across. The pod is constricted between the beans. Seeds are dark red.
There are 108 Erythrina species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It is native from India to the Philippines and the Pacific. It mostly grows naturally along the dunes very close to the coast but is transplanted as an ornamental. It will grow up to 900 m altitude. It has been recorded up to 2,200 m above sea level in Papua New Guinea. It is tolerant to salt. It can tolerate drought. It needs full sun. It can grow in a wide range of soils and soil pH values from 4.5-8.0. It is a nitrogen fixing tree so can grow on poor soils. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, American Samoa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Cambodia, Cape Verde, China, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Fiji, Guam, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Niue, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pohnpei, Rotuma, Ruukyu, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis & Futuna, West Africa, West Indies, Yap
How it is used for food
The young leaves are eaten cooked. They are added to soups, stews and curries. The seeds are eaten after boiling or roasting. The young tender pods are boiled and eaten. The roots of seedlings less than 45 cm high are roasted and eaten. CAUTION Some similar coral trees contain alkaloids and are used as medicine. The seeds are poisonous raw.
The tree occurs in many lowland areas of Papua New Guinea, but the leaves are only eaten by Sepik people at present.
Edible parts
Seeds, leaves, vegetable, pods, flowers
How it is grown
Trees can be grown from seed. Seed will remain viable for several years. Trees do not breed true from seed. Cuttings also grow easily. Large cuttings can be used.
It is fast growing. It can grow 1.5 m each year. Trees can live for 100 years.
Its other names
Local names
'atae, Badisa, Badita, Bangaro, Baridamu, Belendoong, Berebedhi, Butsu daavi, Chengkering, Citong, Dadap aykam, Dadap belang, Dadap blendung, Dap-dap, Dedap, Drala, Erabadu, Faiy-kurehi, Far-tuah, Galala itam, Gatae, Gate, Harivana, In-kathit, Kalayana-murikku, Kaliyanamurukku, Kathit-phyu, Mandar, Mandara, Mandaram, Milimbit, Modugu, Nara, Natae, Netae, Ngatae, Paar, Palita mandar, Palita, Panaraweo, Panervo, Panga, Pangara, Pangra, Parepein, Parijata, Pinle-kathit, Raar, Tawng lang, Tawng puak, Thethek, Thong-laang-laai, Thorny Tong, Tiger's claw, Varjipe, Vong nem, Waigunda, Weeku, Wiliwili hole
Synonyms
Chirocalyx candolleanus Walp.; and others Corallodendron divaricatum (Moc. & Sesse) Kuntze; Corallodendron orientale (L.) Kuntze; Erythrina corallodendon var. orientalis L.; Erythrina indica Lam.; Erythrina indica var. orientalis (L.) Miller; Erythrina lithosperma Bl. ex Miq.; Erythrina orientalis (L.) Merrill; Erythrina parcellii hort.; Tetradapa javanorum Osbeck; and others